Apparatus for assembling sheet material



July 18, 1944. u. c. HAREN 2,354,120

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIALS Filed Oct. 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jn ZJEHL 1/? 527 C Ham 227 July 18, 1944. u. c. HAREN 2,354,120

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIALS Filed Oct. 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZYLJEHZU/L July 18, 1944. u. c. HAREN 2,354,120

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIALS Filed Oct. 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII '1 4 7Z 7 L/EZYYL lf ban C HERE N July 18, 1944. u. c. HAREN 2,354,120

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHEET MATERIALS Filed Oct. 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 18, 1944 Urban Gnu-en,

om. minor to The Akron, 8. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N. 1., a corporation of New York Application Ootober is. 1041, ml No. ham

Claim.

This invention relates to apparatus'for assembling sheet materials and is especially useful in the assembling of frictional fabrics. unvulcaniaed rubber or similar adherent materials, as in the building of tires.

In the manufacture of pneumatic tires, sheets of unvulcanized rubberized'fabric and coatings of sheet rubber are assembled in band form and are then drawn over a building drum where bead cores and other parts of the tire casing are assembled therewith. 'Where it is necessary to as-- semble thin sheet rubber and cord fabric widths it has heretofore been difllcult to properlyalign the sheets with each other and great waste of rubber material occurred. It has also been difiicult, in the past, to unite the sheets face to time where the material was relatively dry or Ms nonadhesive nature.

While it is desirableto supply the band builder constantly with a continuous supply of plied sheet material, attempts to accomplish this have in the past been unsuccessful due to irregularities inthe sheet material and improper alignment of the plies.

The present invention aims to overcome the foregoing difliculties and to provide an improved product.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide sheet handling and assembling apparatus capable of a high degree of flexibility in operation to minimize wastage in large scale manufacture, to provide accuracy of alignment of the sheets or strips, to provide improved adhesion, to provide automatic markings on the sheet to facilitate further operations, to prevent the fabric from being contaminated by contact with the floor or otherwise, and generally to provide for convenience and efllciency of procedure.

These and other objects will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

01 the drawings,

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the moistening rolls, parts being broken away.

1'18. 8 is an end elevation of the length marking mechanism, as indicated at H in Fig. 4, other parts being broken away.

Fig. 'l is a detail plan view of the printing carriage of the length marking mechanism, parts being broken away.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus corresponding to and embodying the invention, Dortions being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken on line Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of the measuring mechanism, parts being broken away.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the delivery end of the outgoing conveyor showing the switch for stopping the conveyor other parts being broken away.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of part of the apparatus, showing the sheet rubber delivery and guidin mechanism. parts being broken away.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of adrive clutch, other parts being broken away.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of a separable nut for moving the supply carriage, other parts being broken away.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view of the stock roll support taken on line il-il of Fig. 10, parts being shown in section, and parts broken away.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the line-printing mechanism, parts being shown in section and parts broken away.

In accordance with the invention a continuous sheet of rubberized material is fed from a supply and a continuous sheet of unvulcanized rubber is fed from a second supply and the two sheets are accurately guided into alignment and assembled face to face. a line is printed longitudinally on the assembled sheet while it is so guided, the sheet is moistened with vsolvent. and is measured and marked at cutting positions in a combined operation.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a bed plate ill to which are fixed in parallel relation, side frames I I, i2, held in spaced apart relation by braces, such as it (see Fig. 5). A horizontal shaft ll is rotatably mounted in bearings fixed to the side-frame members II, II and has an assembling drum ll fixed thereto (see Figs. 1 and 3). A second shaft ll, parallel to shaft I4, is rotatably mounted in bearings II fixed to the side frame members, and has a drum I8 fixed thereto about which a conveyor belt I! is trained. Rubberized fabric material 20, either woven or cord, is delivered by this conveyor from any convenient source, not shown, as a continuous strip and is delivered to the assembling drum therefrom. For driving the assembling drum, an electric motor II is fixed to the bed plate and has a sprocket wheel 22 fixed to its shaft. A sprocket wheel 23 is fixed to a quill 24 (see Fig. 2) rotatably mounted on shaft I8 and driven from sprocket 22 by a chain 25. Another sprocket 28 is also fixed to quill 24 (see Fig. 2) and drives a sprocket 21, fixed to shaft I4 by a chain 28 (see Fig. 3). The arrangement is such that due to the sprocket ratios, the fabric 29 is delivered faster from the conveyor l9 than the surface speed of the drum I5 and the fabric 29 hangs in a free untensioned loop 29a between drums l8 and I5. Quill 24 (see Fig. 2) is formed on one end with clutch teeth 24a, and a collar 29 is slidably mounted on the shaft l8 and provided with cooperating clutch teeth 29a. The shaft |8 has a feather key and the collar a keyway for engaging t. Collar 29 has an annular groove 29b adapted to be enthe shaft at one side of the bearingand collar 83 is-fixed to the shaft at the other side. Between the sides of the carriage, the shaft 9| is squared as at 8Ia (see Fig. 13) To provide against overrunning of the stock roll, a band brake 218 is fixed to the carriage 41 so as to engage the drum 82, and a tension screw 21-1 is provided to adjust its pressure on the drum. A swinging bearing arm 84' (see Fig. 13) is pivoted, as at 85 to the carriage 41 and may be swung over the end of shaft 6|, a clearness opening 84a being provided for the purpose of clearing the shaft. A latch '88 on the arm is adapted to engage a groove 81 formed in the shaft. A stock shell 88 having a squared opening gaged by a shifter fork 3| pivoted at 22. A coil spring 33 urges the clutch collar away from the quill and normally holds the clutch in disengaged position. A solenoid 34 is arranged to draw the clutch into engaged position when it is energized. A light source 35 (see Fig. l) is adapted to throw a beam of light across the space below loop 29a and a photoelectric cell 38 is located in the path of the light beam. An electrical apparatus 31 of which the photoelectric cell is a part is connected to solenoid 34 by wires (not shown), the arrangement being such that when the beam of light is uninterrupted between the light source 35 and the photoelectric cell, the apparatus 31, commonly known as an electric eye holds the clutch in engagement and conveyor belt I9 is driven by, motor 2| which simultaneously drives drum I5, and when the loop 29a drops too low it interrupts the light beam, the solenoid 34 is deenergized, and the coil spring 33 disengages thepclutch until the rotation of drum |5 raises the loop 29a out of the beam. The arrangement is such that the untensloned loop is retained at all times to permit accurate guiding of the sheet.

A guide 49, comprising cross bars 4|, 42, under which the material is threaded and fences 43, 44 (see Fig. 3) adjustable with relation thereto, is mounted on the frame members [2 in the path of the fabric between the loop 29a and the drum I5. The fences may be set for different widths of fabric, and due to the untensioned condition of the fabric, it is accurately aligned on the drum by the guide.

For delivering a sheet of rubber to the fabric in accurate alignment therewith, a pair of horizontally disposed guide rods 45, 48 (see Fig. 1) are fixed to frame members I I, I2 and a carriage 41 (see Fig. 10) is slidably mounted on the rods between the frame member II, I2. A feed screw 48 (see Fig. 10) is journaled in the frame members |I, I2 parallel to the guide rods. A pair of threaded half-nuts 49, 59 (see Fig. 12) are pivoted to the carriage, as at 5|, 52 and an extension coil spring 53, the ends of which are fixed to the half-nuts at their opposite ends normally holds them in engagement with the thread of the screw so that rotation of the screw 48 causes the carriage to move along the guide rods. A rod 54 extends parallel to the feed screw through bearings formed in the carriage. It has a cam 55 (see Fig. 12) fixed to one end thereof and located between the half-nuts and a handle 58 fixed to its other end whereby it may be rotated to separate the half-nuts and permit the carriage to be moved independent of the feed screw.

rotatably journaled. A brake drum 82 is fixed to 'clutch teeth 8|a (see Fig. 11).

and carrying a supply of unvulcanized calendercd rubber wound between convolutions of a liner may be supported by the squared portion of the shaft and the arm 84 may be swung aside to place new shells of stock on the shaft.

For stripping the rubber from the liner and rewinding the liner, a plurality of horizontal idler rolls 19, 1|, 12, 13, 14, 15 (see Fig. 1) are journaled on the carriage. Rolls 19 and 1| are close together and of small diameter. Rolls 1| and 19 are provided with sprockets 18, 11 connected by a. chain 18 so that they run at the same speed. The arrangement is such that the non-stretchable liner is drawn from shell 68 over roller 19 under roller 12 over roller 13 and over roller 14 whereas the rubber passes over roller 1| over roller 13 where it again contacts the liner and under roller 15. In passing roller 13 which it engages in a bight of the liner, the liner drives this roller which in turn drives roller 1| by reason of the sprockets and chain. Roller 1| being close to roller 19 pulls the rubber from the liner at a sharp angle.

A rubber covered roller 89 (see Figs. 1 and 10) is journaled in side frame members |I, l2 and has a sprocket 8| rotatably journaled thereon and adapted to be driven by a chain 82 from a sprocket 33 on a shaft 84 also-journaled in the side frame members. Sprocket 8| is formed with A clutch member 215 having cooperating teeth is slidably mounted on the shaft of roller 89 over a feather key thereon and is adapted to be engaged or disengaged with the roller to drive it. Shaft 84 is in turn driven by a sprocket 85 fixed thereto from a sprocket 88 fixed to a shaft 81 of a variable speed transmission 88 of the Reeves type through a chain 92. The transmission is driven by motor 2| through a sprocket 89 on the motor shaft, a sprocket 99 on the variable speed transmission, and a chain 9|. An empty stock shell 93 (see Figs. 1 and 10) is rotatably supported on a rod 94 rotatably held in notches 95 of a pair of swinging arms 98, 91 pivotally mounted on the carriage so as to rest on the rubber covered roll 89 and be driven thereby. The arrangement is such that at any position of the carriage the empty shell may be driven from the rubber covered roll.

For guiding the rubber material, the unsupported rubber sheet I99 passes under roll 15 to drum I5 where it meets the fabric sheet 29. Between the roller 15 and the roller l5 a light beam source IN is mounted adjustably from the side frame members II, 2 (see Figs. 1 and 10) above the rubber sheet and a photoelectric cell M2 is mounted directly below it. An electric reversible motor I95 is mounted on the side frame members l2 and has a pair of grooved pulleys I98, I91 (see Fig/19) fixed to its shaft I98. i A grooved pulley I99 is fixed to feed screw 48 in line with pulley I and'isdriventherefrombyabelt H0. The photoelectric cell controls the operation of motor I00. It is adjusted so that when the web of rubber is properly aligned with the fabric the beam of light is partly cut-oi! from reaching the cell. When the rubber web shifts to one side it exposes completely the cell which starts the motor I00 operating in a direction which turns feed screw 40 in a direction to move the carriage to a position where the beam is again partly covered whereupon the motor stops. When the cell is completely eclipsed by the sheet it starts the motor in the reverse direction and moves the carriage in the opposite direction until a balanced light condition is attained.

An idler roller III (see Fig. l) is rotatably mounted in a swing frame 2, pivoted at II3 on the frame members II, I2 and bears on the roll II to roll the materials together face to face.

To provide for accurately aligning the combined material in subsequent processes, a printing roller II4 (see Figs. 1, 8, and 14) of the-disclike form is adapted to bear against the material while it is in contact with the drum I (see Fig. 3). The printing roller is rotatably mounted on a pin I I4a carried by an arm I I5 pivotally mounted on a rod H0. The arm is formed with a tank II1 for holding printing ink IIO with which the disc contacts at all times. A slotted scraper III is fixed to arm II5 with its slot just clearing the disc to remove excess ink. A keeper I is adjustable along rod H0 and may be clamped thereto at any position therealong by a thumbscrew I2I engaging a keyway H01: in the rod to hold the arm against movement along the rod. The arm H5 is free to rock about the'rod H0 and rests by its weight against roll I5 but may be raised away from the roll and locked in the raised position by a lock screw I22 threaded through the arm and engageable with the rod I I0.

The apparatus provides for feeding the compound strip forward to provide a festooned supply thereof from which it may be intermittently withdrawn. For this purpose a series of parallel horizontal rolls I30, I3I, I32 (see Figs. 1 and 4) are rotatably mounted between the side frame members II, I2, parallel to roll I5. A pair of smaller guide rollers I33, I34 (see Fig. l) are also rotatably mounted between rolls I5 and I for directing the strip.

For driving roll I30, a sprocket I35 is fixed to shaft I4, another sprocket I35 is fixed to a shaft I31 of roll I30, and a chain I is trained about the sprockets. Roll I32 is driven by a motor I which also drives a conveyor belt I42. A sprocket I43 fixed to the motor shaft engages a chain I44 which engages a sprocket I45 fixed to a shaft I45 to which roll I32 is fixed. Roll I3I is rotatably mounted on a shaft I41 (see Fig. 4). A differential spider I40 is fixed to shaft I41 and a pair of bevel pinions I40, I are rotatably mounted on radial legs of the spider. A bevel gear I5I is rotatably mounted on shaft I41 adjacent one side of the spider in a position to mesh with pinions I40, I50, and has a sprocket I52 fixed thereto. 7 Sprocket I52 is driven by a chain I53 from a sprocket I04 fixed to shaft I31. A second bevel gear I05 is also rotatably mounted on shaft I41 adjacent the other side of spider I40 in a position to mesh with pinions I40, I and has a sprocket I00 fixed thereto. Sprocket I00 is driven by a chain I01 from a sprocket I00 fixed to shaft I40. The arrangement is such that when supply of strip material by roll I5 equals withdrawal thereof over roll I32, sprockets I02and I00 aredrivenatthesamespeeds and shaft I41 is rotated at the same velocity as sprockets I03, I00. Should eitherroll I30 or I32 stop, stopping either supply or withdrawal of material, the speed of roll I3I will be decreased 'to one-half its regular speed. Any difference in relative speeds of rolls I30 and I32 will result in a corresponding change in speed of roll "I. The compound strip is festooned over rolls I30, I3I. I32 in loops I10, "I and the differental gearing is adapted to keep these loops equal in length.

To provide for equalizing the loops when threading the apparatus or whenever differences occur, a disc I13 is fixed to shaft I41 and a second disc I14 is slidably mounted on the shaft and has a keyway I14a enga in a key I41a on the shaft. Roll I3I has a pair of fianges I3la, I3Ib, fixed thereto. Washers I10, I10 of friction material, such as leather, are located between disc I13 and flange "Ia and between disc I14 and fiange I3Ib respectively, and a coil spring I11 about shaft I41 between disc I14 and a collar I10 fixedto the shaft holds the washers under compression and frictionally drives the roll from shaft I41. .An internally toothed ring gear I00 is fixed to the roll "I at one end thereof. A bearing IOI is provided on the frame member I2 forashaft I02 wh ch has apinion I03 fixed thereto and meshing with gear I00. A hand wheel I04 is fixed to shaft I02. The arrangement is such that roll I3I may be rotated about shaft I41 by rotation of the hand wheel I04 and when the hand wheel is freed it will rotate, driven by the ring gear I00. 1

For moistening the compound strip material to freshen its adhesive coating a trough I00 (see Fig. 5) for holding a solvent i located adjacent roll I 30 and is pivotally mounted at IOI on the frame members II, I2. A roll I02 having a cushion face of solvent resisting rubber-like material, such as polymerized vinyl chloride, is rotatably mounted in the trough in a position to contact the face of roll I30 and be driven by such contact. A second roll I03, parallel thereto d ps in the solvent and i rotatably joumaled in the trough so as to contact the face of roll I 02. A train of gears I04, I05. I00. I01 between rolls I03 and roll I02 drives them in unison. The arrangement is such that strip material passing over roll I30 contacts roll I02 and drives roll I03 therefrom and roll I03 becomes wet with solvent and transfer it by way of roll I 02 to the strip.

As contact of the moistening roll with the material should occur only when the mater al is moving, means are provided for lifting the 'moistening roll from the strip material whenever the roll I30 stops rotating. For this purposewthe trough I00 has an arm I00a fixed thereto to which is secured an armature 300. A solenoid MI is fixed to the frame of the machine and is arranged to attract the armature and draw the roll I02 out of contact with roll I 30 whenever motor 2|, which drives roll I30, stops. A weight 302 attached to arm I00a returns the roll I02 to contact with the strip whenever motor 2I is started To prevent tearing of the material in case the motor I continues to run after the motor 2I is stopped for a time sufiicient to consume all the material in the loops I10, I1 I, a contact lever 304 is pivoted at 205 on the frame of the machine in a position to contact with the loop I10, when that loop is nearly exhausted. This lever is attached to a mercury switch in the control circuit of motor I and is arranged to stop the motor when the lever 204 is raised.

For marking the compound strip as a visual index to cutting the strip apart in making hands, a grooved pulley 20I (see Figs. 6 to 8) is fixed to shaft I45. A similar pulley 202 is rotatably mounted on a stud 200 adjustably fixed to the frame member I2 in a slot I2a formed therein. An elastic rubber measuring belt 204 is trained about these pulleys and has a stop 204a fixed thereto.

Directly above shaft I46 is a shaft 205 parallel thereto and journaled in stationary plates 206, 201 (see Figs. 4, 6, and '7) fixed to the frame member II, I2, a carriage plate 2I1 being supported between the frame members by stay rods 208, 209 along which it is slidable and adjustable (see Figs. 4 and 'l). Shaft 205 (see Fig. '7) is splined and has a printing arm 2I0 fixed to a quill 2 I8 slidable along the shaft 205 and rotatably confined in plate 2I1. The end of the arm 2I0 is adapted to contact with the material on the face of roll I32. For thi purpose a type element 2| a is slidably mounted in the arm for radial movement and is forced outwardly by a coil spring 2 I0b, and restrained in its outermost position by a screw 2I0c. An ink well 2I5 is supported by carriage plate 2I1 for movement with it. An ink roll 2 is fixed to a quill shaft 2I2, rotatable in plate 2I1, in a position to dip in the ink. A distributing wheel M3 i fixed to another shaft 2 rotatably mounted in a bearing 2I9 adjustably fixed to plate 2 I 1, and has a felt rim 2 I30. adapted to roll on roll 2I I continuously and to be contacted by the type element 2I0a. Quill shaft 2I2 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 2I1a. formed in carriage plate 2I1 and is slidably mounted on a splined shaft 2I6. Quill 2I2 has a gear 220 fixed thereto. Roll 2 is adjacent the hearing at one side of plate 2". A collar 222 is fixed to the quill shaft 2I2 at the other side of the plate 2I1. A gear 22I i fixed to shaft 2 and meshes with gear 220.

The arrangement is such that the carriage plate 2I1 may be moved along rods 208, 209 and locked thereto by set screws 2I1b, 2I1c at any desired position therealong and carries with it the printing mechan sm which may be driven at any such position by splined shafts 205 and 2 I6. A scraper is pivotally mounted on ink well 2I5 and removes excess ink from roller 2| I.

Shaft I46 (see Fig. 8) has a gear 224 fixed thereto adjacent plate 206. A gear 225 is fixed to a quill 226 (see Fig. 4) rotatably journaled on shaft 205 and constituting the drive member of a Hilliard one-revolution clutch. The driven member 221 of the clutch is keyed to the shaft 205. These members are spaced apart radially from each other. An annular cage member 228 between them holds a series of rollers, and by rotation of the cage the roller may engage between driving and driven members to engage them frictionally but they are normally held in disengaged position by a spring 229. A trip cam 230 is attached to the cage and has a projecting stop 230a. A trip lever 23I is pivotally mounted on a stud 232 fixed to a stationary yoke 233 mounted on plate 205. The lever has a short arm 23Ia which ass-4,120

normally stands in the path of can stop 250a and holds the cam in disengaged position. It also has a longer arm 23; which normally rests on the belt 204 in the path of stop 2040. The arrangement is such that when the stop 204a passes the lever arm 22"; the clutch is engaged and shaft 205 is driven through one revolution by shaft I46 through gears 224 and 226 rotating the arm 2I0 and causing the type element 2I0a to first pick a supply of ink from roll 2I2 and then contact the sheet material passing over roll I22 to which it transfers a spot of ink. Belts 204 of diflerent lengths may be interchanged with each other for placing marks at different distances along th material by adjusting pulley 262 along slot I21: and due to the elasticity of the belts, one belt may be stretched more or less to change its length and therefore the spacing of the marks.

For driving the inking rolls continuously, a gear 240 (see Fig. 6) is fixed to shaft 2I6 adjacent plate 200 and a train of gears 24I, 242, are rotatably mounted on stub shaft; 242, 244 fixed to plate 206 between gears 224 and 240 and meshing therewith. Th arrangement is such that shaft 2I6 is rotated continuously when shaft I4. is rotating.

The marked strip material is delivered from roller I32 to conveyor belt I42 by gravity. For driving conveyor belt I42 (see Fig. 1), a sprocket 250 is fixed to the shaft of motor I which drives roller I32. A conveyor drum 25I is fixed to a shaft 252 rotatably mounted between frame members II, I2 and supports a bight of the conveyor belt. A sprocket 252 is fixed to shaft 252 and is driven by a chain 254 from sprocket 255.

The delivery end of the conveyor belt I42 is supported by a drum 255 (see Fig. 9) fixed to a shaft 256 rotatably mounted in hearings on frame members II, I2. The upper reach of the conveyor may be employed for supporting the material while it is separated into lengths at the positions of the marks printed on the strip. To prevent the operation of the conveyor when the sheet material is delivered beyond its remote end a feeler arm 251 is mounted on the frame of the apparatus in the path of material descending from the end of the conveyor and'is adapted to open an electric circuit controlling the operation of motor MI. The arrangement is such that the descending material will stop the motor I and therefore the roller I32 and conveyor belt I42 operated thereby.

To provide for supply of sheet rubber material without great delay in changing rolls thereof duplicate mechanism for feeding sheet rubber material operable alternately is provided. For this purpose a carriage 260 substantially identical to the carriage 41 is slidably mounted on cross rods 26I, 262 fixed to frame members II, I2. A feed screw 263, identical to screw 40 is used for moving the carriage and is journaled in the frame members and is driven by a belt 264 from a pulley I01 (see Fig. 10) fixed to the shaft of motor I05 to a pulley 266 fixed to screw 26!. The arrangement is such that both carriages are controlled in unison from the same electric eye mechanism. Carriage 260 cooperates with a liner windup mechanism identical with that of carriage 41 and comprising a rubber-covered driving roll 261, journaled in frame members II, I2, having a sprocket 268 jourialed on its shaft 269 and driven by a chain 210 from a sprocket 2" fixed to shaft 04. A clutch member 212 is slidably mounted on shaft 269 over a feather key thereon and is adapted to engage a coopersting clutch member formed on the sprocket 200.

A shifter rod 218 is slidably mounted in the frame members ll, I2 and has a handle 2134 for operating it to engage or disengage the clutch members. A similar shifter rod 214 is provided to shift the clutch member 2'" previously mentioned. The arrangement is such that both windup driving rolls ll and 201 are driven from motor 2| and may be driven alternately by engaging their clutches alternately. As the windup driving rolls operate to deliver the rubber material by pull on the liners, rotating the stock rolls at a uniform surface speed, the arrangement provides for operating from the rolls of material in succession without great delay.

A brake drum in is provided on the stock roll I shaft of the carriage 260 to prevent overrunning of the roll.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Rolls of sheet rubber material such as on shell 00, and empty stock shells such as 03, are placed on the carriages 41 and 200 in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the leading ends of the liners on the rolls of rubber are threaded through the stripping rolls and around the rubber covered windup driving rolls 04 and 200 as shown and are wrapped a single turn about the empty stock shells. The leading end of one of the rubber sheets is pulled forward and permitted to extend over the stripping rolls 'II, II, and is stuck to itself about roll until the operator is ready for it. Both clutch shifter rods 21! and 214 are adjusted to disengage the clutches on the windupv driving rolls 93 and 201. Conveyor belt I! is put in operation by starting motor 2| and a strip of fabric is fed therealong to form a loop 201:, the leading end being threaded through the guide 40 and over roll II. At this point roll III is raised and lowered over the end of the strip. The leading end of the rubber strip is then advanced through the electric eye arrangement and is stuck to the fabric on the roll I5 and clutch shifter 214 is operated to engage the clutch on the windup driving roll. Motor I05 is then started and at the same time current is supplied to the electric eye mechanisms MI and 35. The variable speed changer as may be adjusted to the correct speed ratio to prevent stretching of the rubber.

The leading end of the compound strip is lead under rolls I33, I34 and over roll I30. The line printing apparatus is started by filling the tank Ill and adjusting the printing roller II4 into contact with the strip. The solvent applying roller I92 is supplied with solvent. The strip is draped over rolls I3I, I32 and the measuring apparatus is adjusted by supplying a belt 204 of correct length, filling the well 2, and adjusting the plate 2 to the desired position. Motors 2| and I are started and thereafter the material continues its course through the apparatus. Should the conveyor I9 feed thefabric too fast, the loop a will intercept the beam of light from light source 35 and disengage the clutch member 20 until the beam again strikes the cell 30 when the clutch will again be engaged.

When the rubber material of the first stock roll is exhausted, the rubber from the second roll is stuck to the rubber of the trailing end of the first roll, the shifter rod 214 is operated to disengage the clutch and shifter rod 215 is operated to engage the second clutch to drive the second stock roll. The loop 20a permits such change without stopping the travel of the fabric.

When material is not removed as delivered from conveyor belt I42, the leading end of the strip runs over the, conveyor and depresses the lever II'I' stopping motor I and roll Ifland' come exhausted eventually and by raising lever 304 will stop motor I until motor 2| is again started and the loop I'll is lowered out of contact with lever 004.

Great flexibility of operation is provided by the apparatus making possible the assembly of strips of different widths, thicknesses and material, and the marking of the material in different lengths. The apparatus may be used without employing the moistening device or the line printing and length printing mechanisms if desired and lengths of fabric may be festooned and printed or moistened without applying a rubber strip thereto if desired. Such flexibility of operation is of advantage in large scale factory operations on tires. A great saving in rubber material is also possible by use of the apparatus as the rubber material is applied with very little waste.

Variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for assembling adherent unvulcanized sheet material, said apparatus comprising means for guiding a strip-of adhesive material to an assembling station, a supply of unvulcanized extensible sheet material interwound with a liner and liner rewinding means therefor adjustable in a direction lateral of the path of travel of the strip, means located between said supply and the assembling station and responsive to lateral shifting of the sheet material for automatically controlling the adjusting movement of said supply and rewinding means to align a sheet of material delivered therefrom with said strip at the assembling station, and means at the assembling station for pressing said sheet into engagement with said strip.

2. Apparatus for assembling adherent unvulcanized sheet material, said apparatu comprising means for guiding a strip of adhesive material to an assembling station, a supply of unvulcanized extensible sheet material interwound with a liner and liner rewinding means therefor adjustable in a direction lateral of the path of travel of the strip, light-responsive mean located between said supply andthe assembling station and responsive to lateral shifting of the sheet material for automatically controlling the adjusting movement of said supply and rewinding means to align a sheet of material delivered therefrom with said strip at the assembling station, and means at the assembling station for pressing said sheet into engagement with said Y st ipmeans located between said supply and the assembling station and responsive to lateral shitting oi the sheet material for automatically con. trolling the adjusting movement of said supply and rewinding means to alien a sheet oi material de1ivered therefrom with said strip at the assembling station, and means at the assembling station for pressins said sheet into engagement with said strip and for marking a center line on the extensible sheet material while it is supported sainst shitting by said strip.

4. Ap aratus for assembling adherent unvulcanized sheet material, said apparatus comprising means for adding a strip of adhesive fabric material to an assembly station tree from tension, a supply unit comprising a roll 01' unvulcanlzed extensible sheet material interwound with a liner and liner rewinding means therefor adjustable in assamo a direction lateral oi the path of travel 0! the strip, means ior delivering sheet material from said supply unit to said assembly station, means at said assembly station ior assembling said material and said strip sens face, and means for automatically guiding said sheet material into alignment with said strip as the sheet. material approaches the assembly station by adjustment of said supply unit, said last named means comprising an energy source adapted to project a beam across space adjacent to the alisned path 0! the sheet material, and means eiiected by interception oi the beam by shitting ot the sheet to control lateral adjustment of the supply unit in a direction to align the sheet material with said strip.

URBAN C. KAREN. 

